15 Years

This photo essay was submitted by photographer Simon Sticker

Inaction is a Choice

“I rather immediately fell in love with the piece,” said director Warren Bowles. “Because I went through the experience of totally ignoring the issues in Rwanda. Not totally ignoring, you have some concept of what’s going on, but no real concept. And to see a piece that deals with the issues of what went on without being in any way voyeuristic about the scope of the genocide or wallowing in the genocide itself, is something that I found very fascinating.”

‘I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda,’ now playing at the Park Square Theater, takes a penetrating look into a survivor’s guilt and how one women looks to resolve her feelings through the act of writing.



“We really try to get in touch with the events of the genocide and the overall scope of the genocide. And now we’re trying to figure out how we speak to one individual’s part in it. And by part in it, I mean both as the victim, which Juliet is, but also as the disinterested third party, which is what most of us were,” said Bowles. “Our ignoring the issues was not a lack of action: it was kind of a choice. You could say it was lead by our government, and Clinton, and Madeleine Albright. It’s always easy to find an excuse but still—we needed to do something. We needed to pay attention.

“I would hope that it [the play] would pique an interest not only in the situation in Rwanda but the whole idea of being able to have an effect on the world. Being aware changes that world because your awareness changes you and your actions. It’s the butterfly wings kind of thing. … I think what it will do is let the audience see that there are individuals that went through this and not only that, the effects of this horrific genocide in 1994 are not over yet and won’t be for a long time.”

The Park Square Theatre is generously offering $10 off the ticket price to “friends of NEED magazine.”
To get the discount, use the NEED code “document” when ordering.
The play runs April 24 – May 17, 2009.

Park Square Theatre: www.parksquaretheatre.org; phone 651.291.7005

Park Square Theatre Area Premiere | “Friends of NEED magazine” Discount

I recently learned about a play coming to Minneapolis for the first time called “I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda” by Sonja Linden. The play depicts the life of Juliette, a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, who moves to London and befriends a local poet. Together they are able to tell the powerful and inspiring tale of Juliette’s experiences amidst the horrors of the Rwandan genocide.

The Park Square Theatre is generously offering $10 off the ticket price to “friends of NEED magazine”. To get the discount use the NEED code “document” when ordering (info below). You will find NEED photographer Paul Corbit Brown's images on exhibit in the lobby.

Take advantage of this discount and then write in and tell us about your experience.

Here are the details:



$10 off* tickets to friends of NEED magazine for:

I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda

AREA PREMIERE
By Sonja Linden
Directed by Warren C. Bowles, Featuring Sonja Parks and Patrick Bailey
April 24 – May 17, 2009

"a stirring tale of human bravery in the face of adversity.” Los Angeles Review

Juliette is a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda, now trying to survive a hostile and unfamiliar life in London. She has written a book about the genocide and hopes Simon, a struggling poet and author can help her get it published. Through awkward language barriers and cultural gaps, they don't know quite what to do with their blossoming friendship or with Juliette's writing, until they unlock the poetry of her personal experience. Winner of the Time Out London Critic Choice Award™, this play reminds us of the incredible power of the written word and how from time to time, we need a nudge to see the horrific and the glorious in the world.

*Use code DOCUMENT
Phone: 651.291.7005
Online: www.parksquaretheatre.org

Transaction fees apply. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.